Everyone is accustomed to the image of a brave sailor who wears a vest and a visor. To understand this issue, you should pay attention to history.

Navy hats went through a long evolution before they appeared before us in their modern form. Initially, they looked completely different, and only then they were adapted to the needs of sailors. All these aspects should be discussed in more detail.

Headdress of a sailor in the historical past

Initially, Russian sailors used hats with fields made of felted material. They were introduced as part of the marine form in the 18th century. It was a rather practical thing that protected well from the vagaries of nature; many peasants also successfully used such headgear. Products remained relevant for about 150 years, they were canceled only in the 19th century. During the period of their presence in the form, they changed several times externally, but only in details. Hats were not the most practical solution, wide floors saved from rain and sun, but interfered in the wind, when moving in the hold, working with gear and sails. It was necessary to look for a more practical option.

At the end of the 18th century, these things were replaced by grenadier hats. They were introduced by Paul I, and the sailors immediately noted their inconvenience. After all, the height of such a headdress reached 30 cm, it was heavy, had an uncomfortable shape. Introduced in the 19th century, the shako also did not differ in convenience; it had the shape of a bucket.Such things, although they looked catchy, but prevented the sailors from fulfilling their direct duties, were equally inconvenient both in everyday sea routine and in battle. But the imperial view of the appearance of a sailor is one thing.

As for the real naval leaders, admirals - they saw all the harm from these innovations. Ushakov - pointed out the harm from a similar form, which appeared in the framework of imitation of European trends. Similar things were cultivated in the Prussian army.

Cap and visor

The cap as a headdress appeared in the early 19th century, among army foragers. These people were responsible for feed for horses, food for army units. They wore so-called feed caps in the form of a cap made of cloth, which was bent in half and somewhat resembled a cap in modern troops. However, over time, the cut and this thing began to change, it began to be actively adapted to existing realities and made as convenient as possible for a person. A tulja, a band appeared on the cap, and then, in 1811, it was introduced into all army and navy units as a casual headdress.

Peak Peak Tape

Then a ribbon appeared on the sea caps - this tradition came from the Mediterranean fishermen, whom the wives and relatives gave along with them before going out to sea, ribbons on which prayers and wishes were embroidered. It was believed that such things play the role of a talisman. Ribbons on hats within the Russian fleet began to appear in 1857 and later, they appeared among the British earlier, in 1806, and it is possible that the custom was copied from them. Initially, it was an informal part of the naval costume, but the tape played a significant practical role.

In the wind it was possible to tie a cap with it so that the headgear would not blow off. They began to use ribbons on hats, then they migrated to caps, from where they switched to visors as an almost important element.

The first peaks in their usual form

The peakless cap in its more or less familiar form appeared in 1874. She was black in color, had woolen edging of white color along the edge, tulle, she had ribbons with the name of the ship on which the sailor serves. The connection, crew number could also be indicated. The length of the tape was 140 cm; a special font was used to enter information on it.

The next change in the appearance of the peakless cap occurred after the revolution, it dates from 1921. At that time, the tulle was reduced, the ribbons were shortened, they refused to be extruded. The names of the ships ceased to be added to hats; they were replaced by the name of the fleet. And in 1923, they introduced a new cubic font, the same for all ribbons, which is still used today.

Interesting fact: twice in history, St. George’s ribbons began to appear on peaks. For the first time, sailors were awarded them in 1878, and then they began to issue this award again during the Second World War.

Ribbon ship names

Despite the fact that the names of the ships on the visor caps should have disappeared since 1874, the sailors did their best to preserve this tradition. For some period, the names of the ships migrated to the badges, which did not become the charter part of the form. In the future, tapes with the name of the ship were ordered or made before demobilization, the sailors did their best to emphasize their pride in the ship on which they served, despite all the insistence of the authorities.Today, the name of the ship on the cap of the cap is calm, even many commanders support this trend and order similar items for themselves.

Cap in modern marine traditions

Today, a cap is considered one of the important elements of the naval uniform; it is a charter headdress. She is saved after serving in the Navy, put on holidays dedicated to the Navy. This is a matter of pride for sailors. Moreover, this invention, which originated in the Russian fleet, has found recognition in other countries of the world.

Thus, sailors wear caps, as this headdress has become traditional for the Russian fleet. A visor is more convenient than all other solutions; it is not blown away by the wind, since it does not have a visor. The tradition of wearing it has survived to this day.